Definition

A place or facility where metal is extracted from ore by heating it to a high temperature.

Example

The smelter processed tons of ore to produce pure metal.

Conversation

Have you ever visited a smelter before?

No, I haven't, but I've heard they can be really interesting.

Yeah, they use high heat to extract metals from ores at those places.

That sounds fascinating! I’d love to see how it all works.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Smelter → The word originates from the Old English 'smeltan' (meaning to melt). A smelter is a person or facility that melts metal ores to extract the metal.

Memory Tip

Think of the Old English word for melting ('smeltan') to remember that a smelter is someone who melts metals.

Visually Confused Words